August 28, 2023
Published by 
Nicole Vullo on August 28, 2023
Nicole Vullo on August 28, 2023Funeral service consumers are speaking up, but are we listening? A little-known fact about me – I am a sucker for greeting cards and quotes. I cannot get enough of them and will easily spend hours browsing for the perfect card to give a loved one. Some may find them cheesy and cliché, but I am not one of them! I want to begin with a quote from famous novelist Ernest Hemingway, who once said, “When people talk, listen completely.” Are you still with me? Those words of Hemingway’s are a solid example of what should be a guiding principle for funeral home owners and cemetery operators when dealing with client families. Okay, one more and I promise I’m done. This is from Epictetus, a Greek philosopher. He states, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can […]
June 27, 2023
Published by Nicole Vullo on June 27, 2023
Nicole Vullo on June 27, 2023Written by Sierra Heil, M&A Analyst Despite challenges in the current market environment, such as a slowing economy, inflation, and rising interest rates, many funeral home owners and cemetery operators are focused on succession planning. A 2021 survey by the National Funeral Directors Association found that 27% of owners planned to sell their business or retire within five years, meaning we are likely to continue to see plenty of transaction activity despite potential economic obstacles. Technology, shifting preferences, and changing demographics shape the nature of these transactions. While every business and community differs, careful strategic planning and awareness of changing landscapes can position an owner favorably when the time comes to sell. Increasing Private Equity Investment & Consolidation According to the NFDA, as of mid-2023, 89.2% of funeral home businesses are still independent and family owned. However, as the population […]
June 27, 2023
Published by Nicole Vullo on June 27, 2023
Nicole Vullo on June 27, 2023Add a Traditional Element to Today’s Techie Marketing Strategy Whether it is a conversation with friends and family or your coworkers, it seems everyone these days is talking about all thing’s robots. With all due respect, it is a valid topic. Ever since ChatGPT started to make its presence known toward the end of 2022, the terms “AI” and “automation” have quickly become hot buzzwords. On a lighter note, I can recall a team lunch in our office that started out discussing ChatGPT but quickly segued into a conversation of “what was the name of the Jetson’s maid?” I will save you the Google search: her name was Rosey. My point is that in 2023, all these futuristic elements that we expected to happen at some point in the new millennium are becoming mainstream. And while they are great tools […]
April 18, 2023
Published by Nicole Vullo on April 18, 2023
Nicole Vullo on April 18, 2023Bringing your marketing blueprint to life requires a solid plan but also the flexibility to try new things and change what doesn’t work. I recently finished a book in which the main character and I shared a few things in common. We both love football and we both use algorithms in our careers. Her algorithms were focused on using data to analyze and predict game strategies and mine are focused on crafting the appropriate elements for a marketing strategy. Now, if only I could also marry the star NFL quarterback like she did… But I digress. Every marketing and social media platform uses an algorithm, and whether you like it or not, you need to understand it to be successful in marketing your funeral home or cemetery business. The algorithms determine which content people see every time they check the […]
March 21, 2023
Published by Nicole Vullo on March 21, 2023
Nicole Vullo on March 21, 2023If you are planning to sell your funeral home or cemetery business, there are many factors to consider. One that is extremely important in 2023 is the rise of interest rates. Our M&A Analyst, Sierra Heil provides her insight on this vital question. Question: How can I sell my business if interest rates are rising? Sierra Heil: Over the past 20 years, the deathcare industry has undergone significant consolidation. Many industries have become more focused on convenience and value leading to the emergence of large national chains in an industry that at one time was entirely run by independent local providers. As the baby boomer population ages, many people live outside of the areas they were born or away from younger family members, and families often appreciate when firms offer a wide range of services and options for their loved ones. […]